By Rachel Alexander

Copyright birminghammail

Walsall Council has released a statement over its controversial plans around the Walsall Leather Museum. On Wednesday night cabinet members were asked to approve the disposal of the existing leather museum building on Littleton Street West to Walsall College, and the purchase of a new town centre building to house the contents of the museum. READ MORE: Council makes decision on Walsall Leather Museum building amid protests The decision means that Walsall College can move its special educational needs and disability provision from its Hawbush campus in Leamore to the current site of the Walsall Leather Museum. The plans faced backlash as protesters gathered outside the council house ahead of the cabinet meeting where the final decision was made in private. The move comes after the former leader of the council, Garry Perry, pulled the proposal to relocate the leather museum to an unknown town centre location in the 2025/26 budget earlier this year. At the time Perry said ‘it was only right’ that any changes to the museum were done in collaboration with those who fought to save it. Campaigner Lauren Broxton, a leather fashion designer from Walsall, said ‘promises have been broken’ after the council pushed through with the plans on Wednesday evening. Now, Walsall Council has released a statement on the move. A spokesperson said the new provision inside the leather museum building will provide a ‘secure and fit-for-purpose’ learning space, close to the college’s main campus. It will offer a broad range of educational services, including employability, business, and IT skills, and will play a vital role in supporting adult learners across the borough. The council said discussions regarding the future of the museum are ongoing with stakeholders from business, education, and the community. The original budget proposal for the museum said the attraction would move into a council-owned building in the town centre. But now the authority has said none of its existing buildings could accommodate it. Cabinet members gave the go ahead for regeneration portfolio holder, Councillor Adrian Andrew, and executive director for economy and environment, Dave Brown, to purchase a new property to house the museum contents. Councillor Adrian Andrew, deputy leader of Walsall Council, said: “This move will provide much needed central provision for local SEND students, delivering an increased offer in a supported environment and improving lives. “It has been a difficult decision to make, but we are committed to relocating Walsall Leather Museum to a more prominent and accessible location within Walsall town centre. “There is a need to increase footfall and improve its offer, so it provides value for money and better represents the history and heritage of our borough. This will enhance the visitor experience and maximise the advantages of ongoing town centre regeneration. “Like all councils, Walsall faces significant financial challenges. It is therefore essential that we maximise the value and impact of every pound we spend, ensuring that all expenditure delivers the greatest possible benefit for our residents and communities. “By providing a new location for it, we will ensure we have a museum in a more central location in the town centre. “It gives us the opportunity to consider showcasing not just leather and lorinery, but expand the offer to include the Willenhall lock industry, our mining heritage and prominent figures from the area such as author Jerome K Jerome, and historian and intelligence officer Sir Harry Hinsley. “The Leather Museum is a key part of the wider cultural offer in Walsall which includes The New Art Gallery Walsall, Walsall Arena, Arboretum as well as our other parks and open spaces.”